James Toney vs. Anthony Hembrick (1st meeting)

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James Toney 176 lbs beat Anthony Hembrick 175 lbs by TKO at 0:47 in round 7 of 10

  • Ring Announcer: Michael Buffer
  • Aired On: ESPN Top Rank Boxing (Main Event)

Notes

  • James Toney 40-0-2 vs. Anthony Hembrick 27-4-1 (19 KOs)
  • Hembrick, who entered the ring wearing a blue mask and a large fake afro, was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Henry Maske four months earlier.
  • Toney was the IBF Super Middleweight Champion at the time of the bout
  • Toney weighed in at one pound over the light heavyweight limit and entered the ring to "Let Me Ride" by Dr. Dre.

Bout Summary

Toney stood in front of Hembrick slipped punches and looked to land combinations. Both men landed decently well in the opening round. Toney fought much of Round 2 against the ropes infighting with Hembrick, who landed with a few good right hands. Toney found success working to the body and closed the round strongly. Hembrick began to bleed from the nose in Round 2. Toney was relaxed and in control in Round 3. A stiff jab put Hembrick down to a knee at 2:51 of Round 3. He was up immediately. Hembrick continued to throw more than Toney in Round 4, with mixed results. Hembrick's best punch was an overhand right at 1:06 of Round 4 that caught Toney on the jaw and caused him to take a step backward. Toney did little and fought lazily for all but the last 30 seconds of Round 4, before blasting Hembrick with a pair of solid right hands to close the round. A big left hand to the right eye rocked Hembrick at :56 of Round 5. A followup left hand again staggered Hembrick, who was able to hold to gather himself. Toney landed a couple more nice, single shots in the round, but got tired and backed off. Toney battered Hembrick with power shots in Round 6. A jab followed by two right hands put Hembrick down at 2:33 of Round 6. He was up at the count of five and threw a left hand at Toney before the referee had even finished the count. The referee pulled Hembrick back and continued the mandatory eight-count. As the round ended, Hembrick, badly staggered, struggled to get back to his corner. As the 7th Round began it was clear Hembrick was not in a condition to continue. Toney came forward and pounded away as Hembrick tried to hold. At :47 of Round 7, Hembrick's corner threw in the towel.

Quotes

  • "I'm very happy with my performance. I'm the best fighter pound-for-pound on the planet. I'm a bigger man. I'm stronger at this weight. When I hit him with that first right hand (at the end of Round 6) I knew he was gone. I followed up with the double right hand to make sure, to put the icing on the cake" - James Toney in the post-fight interview.
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